sorb-, sorpt- +

1. To swallow up, to include or to take a thing into the loss of its separate existence; to incorporate: "In one gulp, the whale seemed to absorb all the krill."
2. To be swallowed up, or comprised in, so as to no longer exist separately: "The company absorbed the two smaller companies creating one large conglomerate."
3. To engross, or to completely engage the attention or faculties: "The students were completely absorbed by the magic of the teacher's story telling."
4. To take up or to receive (imponderable agents) by chemical or molecular action: "Not long after Howard swallows his vitamins, they will be absorbed into his blood stream."
5. To assume the burden of (costs, expenses, etc.): "The owners will personally absorb the small financial loss in order to continue to keep their company solvent."
6. To take in (a shock, jolt, etc.) with little or no recoil or reaction: "The soft surface seemed to absorb the impact of the hammer."
7. To take in and not to reflect: "Carlos, the builder, told them that the light rays are absorbed by black surfaces and he also said that cork ceilings absorb sound."

1. The state or quality of being able to be wholly interested in something or giving full attention to something or to someone: "The absorbability of so much information made him very qualified to complete the project."
2. Being fully involved in doing something that a person wants to achieve: "Shirley's absorbabilities while studying at the university resulted in a doctor's degree that was achieved in less time than is normally required."

A biologically absorbable powder prepared from cornstarch by introducing certain ether linkages, and also containing two percent magnesium oxide; used as a surgeon's glove lubricant.

A sterile, non-antigenic, water-insoluble gelatin film prepared from a gelatin-formaldehyde; used both as a protective and as a temporary supportive structure in surgical membrane repair.

A sterile, absorbable, water-insoluble gelatin base sponge, used to control capillary bleeding in surgical operations.

It is left in situ (situated naturally) and is absorbed by the patient in from four to six weeks.

A ligature composed of degradable material; such as, catgut, which can be absorbed by the tissues after enzymatic breakdown.

A ligature is a thread, wire, or cord used in surgery to close vessels or tie off ducts.

A sterile strand prepared from collagen derived from healthy mammals or from a synthetic polymer.

This type of suture is absorbed and therefore does not need to be removed.

1. The ability of a material or tissue to absorb radiation which depends on temperature and wavelength; expressed as the negative common logarithm of the transmittance (ratio of transmitted energy to incident energy): "The new equipment in the laboratory was able to effectively measure the absorbance of the diseased tissue of the patient."
2. A measure of the extent to which a substance transmits light or other electromagnetic radiations: "Absorbance varies with factors: such as, wavelength, solution concentration, and path length."

A reference to something that induces, promotes, or causes the passage of substances across and into tissues: "In the medical laboratory, they were studying the absorbefacient processes of digested food molecules into intestinal cells and the passage of liquids into kidney tubules."

1. That which causes or takes something in by sucking it up and incorporating it into something: "The new sponge is a great absorbefacient to use when cleaning the windows."
2. An agent that causes absorption or the taking up of liquids by solids: "Adding the right kind of absorbefacient to the spill on the garage floor made it easier to clean up the mess."

1. That which is capable of attracting and absorbing substances into itself: "Certain cloth materials have greater absorbency than others."
2. Substances or products that can absorb liquids or gases: "Are there differences in the absorbencies of salt water versus unsalted water for gases?"

1. That which is capable of attracting and absorbing substances into itself: "Randy brought a new sponge which is the best absorbent he has ever used."
2. A product or substance which can absorb liquids or gases: "The new powder-like substance is a great absorbent when cleaning up the oils and grease at the mechanic's garage."
2. Any substance that takes in fluids through its sensible or insensible porosity; applied in a special sense in medicine to such substances as chalk or magnesia that take in the acidity of the stomach: "Certain forms of magnesium can work as an absorbent when administered as a laxative."

Cotton from which the natural wax has been removed that is used in surgical dressings and for other medicinal or cosmetic purposes: "The absorbent cotton is always sterilized before it arrives at the hospital and is used during surgery."

A sterile dressing of any material that is applied to a wound or incision to absorb secretions: "Kinds of absorbent dressings are Teflon-coated gauze squares, fluffed gauze, and abdominal bandages."

A fabric or pad with various forms, weights, and uses: "Absorbent gauzes may be rolled, single-layered fine fabrics for spiral bandages, or they may be thick, multilayered pads for sterile pressure dressings and there may also be adhesive backings."